Review: Fab Faux make 'Hard' look easy

Some people may have had a hard day on Saturday. But if they went to the Calvin Theatre in Northampton later on, their hard day's night should have made them feel all right.

The Calvin served as the venue where the renowned Beatles cover band, The Fab Faux, performed the Beatles album "A Hard Day's Night" in its entirety, followed by a set of other gems by the mop tops.

"A Hard Day's Night" may be the best album by the Beatles from start to finish, which is why the show, while stellar overall, probably had a few more imperfections than previous Fab Faux tours. But again, this isn't to say the show wasn't great–it certainly was.

Because The Fab Faux played the album from start to finish for their first set, the most logical way to review the show is by looking at each of the 13 songs in order, giving a brief description of each tune.

"A Hard Days Night" was a shimmering performance underpinned by multi-instrumentalist Jack Petruzzelli's percolating percussion work and straight four cowbell on the middle eight.

"I Should Have Known Better" was held back by a beat that didn't sway as much as Ringo's original, but bassist Will Lee provided perfect Lennon harmonica line.

"If I Fell" saw Lee taking lead vocal at Lennon solo beginning with the rest of the band chiming in on beautifully rendered harmonies. As was done with actual Beatles records, most lead vocals on all these songs were double-tracked, with two of the band members singing in unison on lead vocals. This a great idea since the hardest parts of The Beatles' music to imitate are the vocals of John And Paul. "I'm Happy Just to Dance With You" was decent, but less dynamic than the original.

"And I Love Her" featured a nice note-for-note solo on classical guitar by guitarist Frank Agnello and "Tell Me Why" had swinging backbeat and perfect harmonies. It may have been the best song of the first half.

"Can't Buy Me Love" also had great groove and with other songs reminded one how much the rhythms of this record really swung. "AnyTime At All" was good, but didn't stand out, as Lennon's muscular vocals on that song areparticularly tough to replicate.

"I'll Cry Instead" was great, with everything coming together. "Things We Said Today," which may be the best song on the original album, was executed seamlessly with the somber verses morphing perfectly in to the upbeat, rocking middle eight.

"When I Get Home" featured drummer Rich Pagano on lead vocals. Pagano is probably the best imitator of Lennon's voice in the band. Pagano also excelled on the Lennon-sung "You Can't Do That" with Lee and Agnello doing call-and-answer harmonies.

The album's closer "I'll Be Back" was flawless. If you closed your eyes you may have thought it was actually the Fab Four, not Faux, on stage.

The second set launched with a flat-out rocking "Back in the U.S.S.R." followed immediately by a gorgeous version of "Dear Prudence."

What stands out at these shows is how immensely complex some of these seemingly simple pop songs were in their arrangements. Seeing the players execute these parts live articulates this aspect. Lee in particular seemed to relish playing the lush lines created by pop music's best bassist, Paul McCartney.

Like the Saw Doctors last month, and Willie Nile last week, the group paid tribute to The Republican's late music writer – and ardent Beatles fan – Kevin O'Hare, calling him "a great journalist and friend of the band."

The incredibly difficult "Strawberry Fields Forever" was pulled off with panache, as was “Another Girl."

Other highlights of second set included "Old Brown Shoe," and "Oh Darling!" which allowed guitarist Jimmy Vivino to showcase some great McCartney like vocals. "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" sent Lee running through crowd during repeating end riff. The show ended with a stunning copy of "I Am the Walrus."

The fake Fabs returned for an encore of "And Your Bird Can Sing" and "Let It Be"–both sung well by Agnello.